DTI Endorses Monash SA Film and TV Unit

At the Film Incentive launch in June, the Minister said that the shortage of training at the intermediate and advanced levels is threatening the future of the sustainability of the industry. "Government has identified the need to support the industry, given the challenges of poverty and unemployment - particularly among the youth.

"The skills-development component of the incentive package aims to address the skills shortages at intermediate and advanced levels, focusing on short, intensive courses, delivered over periods of no longer than two weeks."

Dr Melanie Chait and Nikki Tilley of the Monash South Africa Film and TV Unit have been in consultation with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for the past eight months on this incentive. "We are proud to have participated in the drafting of this new legislation," says Tilley. Discussions and formulation of the training component continued when representatives of the DTI visited the campus during July 2004.

The Film & TV Unit at Monash South Africa is the only one of its kind in the country offering short intensive courses to industry professionals at both intermediate and advanced levels.

There are several other short courses planned for industry professionals this year including: The Art of Digital Editing (August); Scriptwriting for Features (September); Business Skill Development (October) and Production Accounting (November).

In addition, the Film & TV Unit has recently delivered a tailor-made course in Promo Scheduling to participants from pay channels DStv, MultiChoice and M-Net.

"We also are fielding enquiries and tailormaking courses for broadcasters from other African countries including Namibia and Nigeria. Another exciting new development is that we are collaborating with the Southern African Broadcasters Association and have been invited to deliver a presentation at its AGM in October," adds Tilley.

The National Film and Video Foundation is currently looking at ways to change its mandate to accommodate the funding of bursaries for short courses.